Sharon’s Global Celebrity Update

Sharon’s Community Update CTV Show 21

The Canterbury Wedding Auction & Fashion Show on Telethon on TV3
I’m so proud to say that leading Canterbury wedding professionals have joined forces to bring a complete wedding package a LIVE auction on Sunday 2 August at the Chateau on the Park for TV3 Telethon for Kidscan.

No need to run around looking for wedding professionals- the package is already arranged. This would be first ever wedding package for a charity auction. The lucky bidding couple will be instant celebrities and what a way to start their married life- also may even the whole wedding at a fraction of the cost and yet helping Kidscan.

Kidscan is a nationwide organisation dedicated to meeting the basic physical needs of financially disadvantaged children. So do not let anyone tell you otherwise!

LIVE Wedding Auction for Telethon on TV3 Sunday 2 August at the Chateau on the Park
Phone  379 0099 or Visit www.sharonlingham.com

Funtastic and exciting live production SCOOBY -DOO! STAGEFRIGHT– LIVE ON STAGE!
7 &  8 July - Isaac’s Theatre Royal

Scooby Doo and his gang, Shaggy, Daphne and Velma are packing up their gear to take centre stage in New Zealand from 7th & 8  July in a school holiday!

# I have a A double ticket to SCOOBY-DOO STAGEFRIGHT to 1st CTV caller- just name one character of Scooby Doo

Peruvian Grand Fiesta” with Matecito Live Band -18 July Shirley Club

18julyperuvianparty-021

Peruvian community would love to share with you their National day celebration, with the best of Latin music from South America:
Salsa,  Merenge,  Bachata,  Cumbia & Cha Cha.
Matecito Latin Band: with Gerardo Torres playing for the “Peruvian Independence Party 2009″ Everybody welcome.Tickets: Door $20 & Presold $15:  Phone 332 2180

# I have a double tix to Peruvian Grand Fiesta to CTV’s 4th caller

Guest:
With Scottish background She’s a primary school teacher at Lady of Fatima and is a proud member of Peruvian Society.
She’s one of the dancers, Marinera in Peruvian Grand Fiesta. Vicky Reid is introduced.
Vicky’s lovely dancing costume weighs 3 kg!

Prime Minister Launches New Zealand Global Women

I was one of 100 women invited to the launch of New Zealand Global Women at Auckland University yesterday. The event was launched by Prime Minister John Key, which speaks volumes for his support for the organisation! Women from Australia, China, UK and US were invited.

It was great to catch up with Jenny Shipley, Ruth Richardson and Annah Stretton.
It was my pleasure to meet Lady Pipa Blake and the chair of Global Women, Mai Chen.

A new group of high-profile women leaders committed to encouraging women in top leadership will be launched on Thursday 2 July. Founding members include Rt Hon Jenny Shipley and Wellington lawyer Mai Chen (Chairperson).

Membership to New Zealand Global Women is by invitation only. The selection criteria for membership of NZGW are women who:

- Have occupied a very senior leadership position in an influential company, or organization, whether in private, public or non-profit sectors.

- Have demonstrated significant thought leadership and vision.

- Are well connected and highly influential.

- Are role models for other women in NZ and who have a personal commitment to  supporting other women to achieve leadership positions

The New Zealand Global Women Advisory Board meet on a bi monthly meeting cycle and will be considering a further small intake of members in the first quarter of 2010.

More than ever before, New Zealand needs its most senior women to achieve their full leadership potential – guiding critical decisions, and becoming role models for our emerging female achievers.

In NZ women hold 19% CEO/MD positions – down from 22% in 2006.
In NZ Women hold 8.65% (54 out of 624) Board of Director positions on NZSX .

NZ ranks 10th globally in female representation in business management – down from 4th in 2004.A group of business women had the vision for and belief that:

New Zealand’s nationally and globally successful, influential women leaders needed a forum to serve as a catalyst for change, and to mobilise a community of inspirational and ambitious women leaders
By raising the ceiling of New Zealand business activity and further connecting leaders (corporate, professional, creative, public, national and global) there is the basis for competitive advantage and a model for working with the world’s best.

New Zealand Global Women, founded in 2009, is a not for profit organisation whose members are recognised, accomplished senior women leaders from a wide range of national and international disciplines and industries.

Members build meaningful peer to peer relationships, exchange ideas, facilitate international opportunities and openly share their collective wisdom with each other.

As New Zealand’s premier dynamic women’s organisation, we actively work to expand the national and international impact and influence of women leaders, develop and assure leadership opportunities for qualified women, and mentor and shape emerging leaders.

Global Women Board:
Mai Chen, partner, Chen Palmer NZ – Chairwoman for Global Women

Jenny Shipley, former PM, managing director, Jenny Shipley NZ

Jane Diplock, chair, Securities Commission

Sarah Kennedy, CEO, Vitaco Health

Bridget Liddell, managing principal, Fahrenheit Ventures

Jenny Morel, managing partner, No. 8 Ventures

Wendy Pye, managing director, Wendy Pye Publishing

Patsy Reddy, director, Active Equities

Annah Stretton, CEO, Stretton Clothing and Stretton Publishing

Katrina Troughton, director, IBM’s WebSphere division

My Resignation From Your Day Trust and its Spring Wedding Show

I had been a Trustee and Public Relations Officer for Your Day Trust in Christchurch for many years but due to conflicts of interest within the charitable trust, have resigned on Friday 5 June.

During my nine years, my company Crown Limousines NZ Ltd has been a major sponsor for the Trust which used to hold wedding shows every year to raise funds for two charities. I also arranged models from local model agencies, always attracted new businesses as exhibitors for the Trust due to my great connections in the city.

Publicity has always been my forte and I spared no cost or effort there. The Trust having a very small budget to advertise, I used my own influence and contras to bulk advertise the shows but not anymore!

I have to make this public as if I do not, I still keep getting contacted by local and out of town businesses, thinking I am still doing this, which I am not!

The Royal Foundation of the Blind is also no longer part of the Spring Wedding Show due to conflict of interest. My company, Crown Limousines NZ Ltd and I do support the Royal Foundation of the Blind in every possible way.

Please see my charities that I support on my Charities’ page.

If you would like to support a charity, visit  their website, if they do not give all information of who is behind the organisation ( eg- the list of Board members should be there ),this would be worrying.

However, please be kind to newer charities who may not have a website yet!

If unsure, ask around. If respectable members of the public suddenly resign, find out why and if a major charity suddenly pulls out, then you are definitely not supporting a good charity.

Charity or charitable organisations should be enjoyable to join and also be for fellowship and do good for the community- if there is a conflict of interest within the organisation, if not resolved at normal meetings, then it is time to move on.

This does not mean you become ‘ a pain in the in butt, each time there is a dispute / disagreement, of course. Be sensible!

Womenz Night Out in Christchurch

Hilary Muir from Breeze Fm welcomed everyone over 120 enthuastic women at Womenz Night Out at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. I should say two men as well including Kerryn Winn, Katrina’s husband.
Some travelled from Rangiora to hear Peta Mathais speak, catch a glimpse of our Miss World New Zealand and to hear our local singer, Melissa Perkins.
Katrina Winn, the CEO of Womenz Ltd and I had been emailing each other for a while and she spoke most passionately about women an dher life.
Miss World New Zealand, Magalena Schoeman looked stunning in red as she chatted away with Hilary onstage like a live interview. What a great ambassador she is for us!

Melissa Perkins really enthralled the audience with her songs- this girl certainly has a future.

Peta Mathias is a respected and prolific New Zealand chef, author and broadcaster, who also built culinary travel experience with her gastronomic tours in the South of France, Morocco and India, was simply amazing!

Having started off her culinary love affair in Paris with her restaurant ‘Rose Blues’ in the 5th arrondissement, she returned to New Zealand ten years later to teach, cook and write.

‘Fête Accomplie’, the first book about life in Paris with recipes, is also the first of her eight gastronomic travel books written about North Africa, France, New Zealand, Ireland and Vietnam.

‘Can We Help It If We’re Fabulous?’ a book about women, came out in August 2008. It has been on the bestseller list for three months and the worldwide rights have been bought by a British publisher at the Frankfurt Book fair. The latest book is ‘A Matter of Taste’ - a book of photographs of women’s accessories made of food taken by Italian photographer Fulvio Bonavia, with text by Peta.

Since 1995 Peta has been presenting the prime time travel/food shows ‘Taste New Zealand’, ‘Taste Takes off’ and ‘A Taste of Home’. In 2006 she presented the food segment on TV One’s ‘House & Garden’. The NZ Guild of Writers voted Peta as the Supreme Award winner at the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers Culinary Quill Awards held on Oct 17, 2003.

The Supreme Award is a new category in the Culinary Quills biennial awards, which recognises the most outstanding entry of the fourteen category winners. Mavis Airey, President of the Guild said the judges found it difficult selecting an overall winner and it was Peta’s passion for the craft of food communications that made the final decision.

Peta is very innovative and strikingly beautiful woman.

I look forward to her latest book out in November this year ….wait for it…about men!

It was a very enjoyable evening and those of you who could not make,you really missed out on something very exciting! I bet your evening was not half as fun as ours was!

Television Network And Book

As television networks brainstorm dizzying high-tech ways to promote shows online and via social networks, ABC is adopting a decidedly retro medium to excite viewers for the upcoming second season of “Castle”: a book.

Because the show’s protagonist, Richard Castle, is a best-selling author of mysteries, what more appropriate tie-in than to publish a mystery novel credited to the character?

The first chapter of Castle’s novel “Heat Wave” will debut August 10 on ABC.com.

The network will post the first half of the book, a chapter a week, for 10 weeks. The full novel will be published September 29 by Disney sister company Hyperion. The story apparently is a stand-alone mystery with elements that relate to the on-screen story.

The show’s second season premieres in late September.

The network teamed with Hyperion for 2006’s “Lost” tie-in “Bad Twin” and “The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer,” which tied in to the ABC miniseries “Rose Red.” The real author of “Heat Wave” is not being unveiled.

The Canterbury Wedding Auction & Fashion Show In association with Telethon on TV3

In association with the Big Night In Telethon, supporting KidsCan StandTall Charitable Trust, Canterbury’s leading businesses are banding together to donate their goods and services to form a very unique wedding experience!

This is an amazing opportunity for a lucky couple to bid at auction and receive an entire wedding, all ready prepared for them, which includes a designer dress, limousines, photos, hair and beauty styling and much, much more.

The lucky bidding couple will be receiving a package that is worth in excess of $20,000 dollars at a fraction of the cost and be donating their support to the needs of children in New Zealand.

The Canterbury Wedding Auction & Fashion Show will be taking place at the Chateau on the Park on Sunday, 2nd August 2009. The event will be starting at 2pm with a meet and greet with the sponsoring companies followed at 3pm by a Fashion Show of new season Bridal Wear, culminating with the Auction of individual items and the Wedding Package at 4pm.

This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of entertainment with a celebrity auctioneer, local business leaders and, of course, the event will be recorded and televised for the Big Night In Telethon.

All proceeds from the Auction will be donated to the Telethon.

“Kidscan StandTall Charitable Trust is a national charity dedicated to ensuring all Kiwi kids affected by poverty can look forward to a brighter future”.

The Canterbury Wedding Auction & Fashion Show:  Venue: Chateau on the Park - The Grand Hall
Date: Sunday, 2nd August 2009
Ticket Price: $10 Entry

Meet and Greet 2pm
Fashion Show 3pm
Auction 4pm

For further detailed information of the items and services included in the package please view all the   services below:

The Wedding package include:

Wedding venue at Cashmere Club, Christchurch

Catering by Cashmere Club

Exclusive bridal gown by Robyn Cliffe Couterier

Wedding car by Crown Limousines NZ

Marriage Celebrant Yvonne Prebble of Celebrants Guild Of New Zealand

Bridesmaids’ dressed by Brides of Merivale

Groomsmen dressed by Sergios Menswear

Page Boy dressed by Sergois Menswear

Mother of the Bride dressed by Gillian Melhop Studio

Accessories by Smith & Boston

Flowers by Flowers on Holmwood

Decorations by Acropolis Wedding Hire

Wedding rings by Julian Harding Lifestyle Jewellers

Music by Too Chic Entertainment

Bridal hairstyling by Mariessa Waddington Hair Design

Accessories ( tiara, necklace and earring) by Clara Jewellery

Photographer- Moda Fotographica

Videographer- Professional Wedding Videos

Dance Teaching -Edward Dance Academy

Bridal Make-up by Mariessa Waddington European Make-up Artists

Wedding Coordinator-Emma Newman Weddings

Nails & facial by Body Business

Sexy lingerie for the Bride by Savoir Apparel Ltd

Health and Beauty by Body Business

Wedding invitations printed by Wedding Print

Honeymoon - Millennium Hotel ( 2 night’s accommodation PLUS cooked breakfasts for both days)

Honeymoon transport- Crown Limousines NZ

The celebrity auctioneer, Phil McGoldricks will auction the wedding package and all funds will be donated to Telethon.

A selection of celebrity items would also be auctioned on the day.

We wish to thank all participating sponsors,volunteers and all media in advance.

For Further information please contact Sharon Lingham on  Phone: (03) 379 0099
or email: sharon@sharonlingham.com or

Alexandra Gill, Event Manager :  Phone: 0211 249 637 or email: alexandra@pearlscape.com or
Robyn Cliffe on Phone: 021 480 939

And The Winner of TV Ones’s Stars In Their Eyes is…Mandy Pickering of Christchurch

Celebration time  for the gorgeous and talented winner of TV One Stars In Their Eyes‘, Mandy Pickering.

Mandy told the host, Simon Barnett (also from Christchurch) that she was nervous.
I can’t believe it, she said. The very excited  winner is off to Tonga tomorrow with her family.

Amongst so many people supporting Mandy, Suzanne Carson of Events & Wedding Professional was one of them! Suzanne was my guest on CTV’ Sharon’s Community Update last week.

Well done, Mandy- we are all so proud of you!

Comedy Breaks All Records

The NZ International Comedy Festival has broken all previous records by confirming a national attendance of over 118,000 people in its 2009 programme.

This staggering result shows a 50% increase from audience numbers in 2008. Under the guidance of new Festival Director, Kylie Aitchison the Festival delivered the largest attendance in its 17-year history but has also increased the range of top-notch comedy available for all kiwis to enjoy. Compared to figures from 2008, attendance rose by 38%, from 53,172 to 73,559 (an increase of 20,387) for the Auckland season, while Wellington’s attendance figures rose from 18,939 to 31,399 (an increase of 12,460), showing a staggering 66% increase in numbers.

Attributing to these fantastic numbers are not only the popular cornerstones of the Festival, be it the ever successful Comedy Divas, at it’s new home at SKYCITY Theatre in Auckland and in Wellington, again at a new home at The Embassy Theatre, the Crunchie Comedy Gala, Last Laughs or Wellington’s Late Laughs, but also the new programmes on offer in 2009. Best Of The Billy’s showcased the winners of the prestigious Billy T Award from the past 11 years, giving New Zealander’s a chance to celebrate the fine talent the country has to offer. Presented by Tui, Best Of The Billy’s was a sell out success in its inaugural performance.

Offering family friendly comedy, the Nickelodeon Kids Comedy Season, returned to Auckland and made its debut season in Wellington. The Festival’s strong ties with their sponsor SKYCITY Auckland helped not only light up a comedy beacon by bathing the SKY Tower in gold throughout the Festival, but also lit up the lives of children with life threatening illnesses with their support of SKYCITY Auckland Gastrocomique. The lively SKYCITY Auckland Gastrocomique moved to the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and over a three-course lunch, attendees watched Jeremy Corbett, Wilson Dixon, Mark Watson, Jeremy Elwood, Hannah Gadsby, Irene Pink and Janey Godley engage in a lively comedic debate.

The event raised over $48,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, double what was raised in 2008. Chris Brain also beat out a high calibre of contestants involved in this year’s Billy T Awards – picking up not only the yellow towel synonymous with Billy T James but also a $5000 cheque. Meanwhile the irrepressible Te Radar became the fourth comedian to win the newly created FRED Award, as well as picking up Best Local Show, highlighting what a huge success his show “Te Radar’s Eating the Dog” was.

“Despite a recession, the Festival has retained it’s core audience, with a higher number of shows this year extending their seasons” Festival Director Kylie Aitchison states. “It’s an amazing result for the NZ Comedy Trust, our comedians and our sponsors and to see the increasing attendance alongside the strength of our local performers has provided the most promising start to my tenure as Festival Director!” Organisers have already begun preparations for the 2010 NZ International Comedy Festival, which promises to deliver more exceptional comedy to a large-scale kiwi audience from the 23 April to 16 May 2010.

APRA Children’s Music Awards”Finalists

In 2008 APRA launched two awards with the intention of recognising New Zealand children’s music for what it is: a rich variety of fantastic fun for kids and parents alike.

The APRA Children’s Song of the Year, judged by an independent panel, celebrates the songwriters and composers who write for the children of New Zealand. Partnering with perennial kids favourite television programme What Now, their viewers vote for the What Now NZ Children’s Video of the Year - so this award is a true “kid’s choice’’.

Finalists for the 2009 APRA Children’s Song of the Year are Geoff Duncan & Emma Sutherland for
Be The Star You Are performed by the Dancestars, Jamie Burgess for Lets Go performed by ThePlops, and Nicolas Hollis aka Levity Beets with Little Blue.

The judging panel were impressed by the high level of songcraft in each of these songs; it was agreed that they are not only enjoyable for children; they stand alone as great songs.

The Dancestars Be The Star You Are & The Plops Lets Go’ are also finalists for the What Now Children’s Video of the Year along with Buttons by new outfit 123 Tree. For the last few weeks, What Now viewers have been voting for their favourite video via www.whatnow.tv, voting is open until the 6th of July – so check them out!

Both awards are to be presented at StarFest the finale event of Christchurch City Council’s annual two week KidsFest on July 17 at the James Hay Theatre www.kidsfest.co.nz.

2008 APRA Children’s Song of the Year winner, Craig Smith, has had his track The Wonkey Donkey Song, produced into a book with accompanying CD by Scholastic & will be available for sale this October.

The Dancestars are a kid’s entertainment group created by Wellington dance studio Dancestars School of Dance and Music. As well as attending up to five weekly dance classes, the girls are coached for performances and recordings as a group and love coming up with ideas for videos, lyrics, costumes and their ultimate dream – a Miley-style tour bus!

Be The Star You Are is their first recorded song, co-written by Tui award-winning producer Geoff Duncan & Emma Sutherland. www.dancestars.co.nz.

ThePlops are the brainchild of Raquel and Greig Sims, a young couple from Lower Hutt. To date, ThePlops have appeared several times on TV and have performed over 200 live shows to adoring children nationwide. Their songwriter, Jamie Burgess is a school teacher whose background includes songs for award winning band ‘The Parachute Band’. ThePlops have produced 3 CD’s and recently completed their first music video ‘Lets Go’ – all of which you can check out on www.theplops.co.nz.

Levity Beets is a travelling musician and storyteller - He uses ukulele, jaw harp, thumb piano, harmonica, guitar, banga drums, double bass and singing to play lively, humorous and easy to join in songs. He has recorded two albums. One called  Little Blue and the Living Treasure Band a 13 track album about NZ native animals and one vegetable, the other an album of action songs, music games and fun tunes called How Much Is That Piranha In Your Gumboot. www.myspace.com/wildbeetproductions.

123 Tree is an exciting new children’s show created by Aucklander Sheree Swords. 123 Tree stars a magic tree and three toys he brings to life. An accident prone Robot named Buttons, an inquisitive Fairy named Cupcake and a daredevil monkey named Bananas. Through music, dance and play the toy characters learn some of life’s most valuable lessons. www.123-Tree.com.

APRA Children’s Song of the Year – finalists:
‘Be The Star You Are’ by Geoff Duncan & Emma Sutherland performed by the Dancestars ‘Lets Go’ by Jamie Burgess performed by ThePlops
‘Little Blue’ by Nicolas Hollis aka Levity Beets

What Now NZ Children’s Video of the Year – finalists:
‘Lets Go’ by ThePlops – video created by Tree Top Productions
‘Be The Star You Are’ by Dancestars – video created by Emma Sutherland
‘Buttons’ by 123 Tree – video created by Alex Kuzelicki

The winners will be announced in Christchurch on Friday 17 July at the James Hay Theatre.

About APRA: The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) collects and distributes licence fees for the public performance and communication (including broadcast) of its members’ musical works. Public performances of music include music used in pubs, clubs, fitness centres, shops, cinemas, festivals, whether performed live, on CDs or played on the radio or television. Communication of music covers music used for music on hold, music accessed over the internet or used by television or radio broadcasters. www.apra.co.nz

Vote for Mandy Pickering of Christchurch for TV Ones’ Stars in ther Eyes

Mandy Pickering who is a Canterbrian prepares herself to the final tomorrow for Stars in Their Eyes’ Final, tomorrow.Please give Mandy a vote.Your vote would make all the difference!
Mandy, you go girl!!!!

Phone 0900 89 818 or Text ‘Sarah’ to 8981
Watch the Grand Final on TV One on 30 June at 8.30pm.